Grants & Funding

There are a range of grants and funding opportunities for athletes and supporting clubs/ organisations that exist at the local, state and federal government level. A snapshot of opportunities relevant to cross country skiers are included below. For a more comprehensive list, please visit the Australian Sports Commission.

Australian Sports Commission – Local Sporting Champions

The Local Sporting Champions program is an Australian Government initiative designed to provide financial assistance for young people aged 12-18. Potential expenses covered include travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment when competing, coaching or officiating at an official NSO endorsed state, national or international championships.

The Layne Beachley Foundation – Aim For The Stars

The Layne Beachley Aim for the Stars Foundation was built to encourage, motivate and provide for all aspiring women. Encompassing academic, sport, cultural and community pursuits. Aim for the Stars offers ambitious and dedicated females an opportunity to receive financial and moral support to help them achieve their goals. Scholarships are awarded to applicants who best demonstrate their aspirations to succeed in their chosen pursuit and how financial and moral support would further their education or personal development and the community.

NSW Olympic Council – Athlete Grant Program

The New South Wales Olympic Council (NSWOC) Athlete Grant Program is designed to provide financial assistance for junior sportsmen and women in New South Wales. The NSWOC distributes cash grants to elite athletes, non-professional and non-NSWIS scholarship holder, athletes who compete in sports on the Olympic Program and reside in New South Wales.

Sport and Recreation Victoria – Elite Athlete Travel Grants Program

The Elite Athlete Travel Grants Program provides grants of up to $2000 to assist elite Victorian athletes with travel to compete at national championships or international events.

The AMASDF is dedicated to providing practical support (for equipment, training, and resources – not cash grants) to up-and-coming winter snowsports athletes from the age of 10 to 19 years old, across all disciplines including disabled snowsports. More information is available via NSW Snowsports.

Manuela Berchtold – Future Olympians Scholarship Programme

The Future Olympians Scholarship Programme is aimed at helping young athletes from the Snowy Mountains region achieve their dreams in their chosen sport. Applications are called for after the Australian winter season and can be accessed by emailing info@highcountryfitness.com.au.

Rob Kneller Youth Foundation

The Rob Kneller Youth Foundation was established in December 2013 by Scott and Luke Kneller in loving memory of their late father. Proceeds raised from the foundation are targeted to increase both participation and excellence in snowsports for the local Snowy Mountains community. Initiatives include subsidising the cost of the school skiing programs, subsidising the SERAS levy, equipment scholarships, subsidising the cost of SSA futures programs and hosting workshops coached by world class athletes.

High Performance Scholarship

As particular performance standards are reached High Performance scholarships start to become available.